In the six months after a cease-fire in eastern Ukraine was supposed to have taken effect this year, Russian-backed forces kept up a low-level barrage of sniping and shelling along the front lines, killing dozens of Ukrainian soldiers while avoiding censure from the Western governments that brokered the deal. Then, on Sept. 1, the guns fell silent — just as Russian forces began streaming into Syria. For two months, the cease-fire held and international monitors reported progress in implementing agreements on the withdrawal from the front lines of heavy weapons.

Now the Russian guns are firing again. In the past week there have been dozens of incidents daily in which the supposedly withdrawn weapons, including heavy mortars and Grad rockets, have been fired at Ukrainian positions. Nine Ukrainian soldiers have been reported killed. Having proved in September that he could switch off the shooting in Ukraine when it suited him, Russian President Vladi­mir Putin has now, at a minimum, allowed it to resume. It’s a development that Western governments contemplating an alliance with the Russian ruler in the Middle East cannot afford to ignore.

Why would Russia have broken the calm in Donetsk and Luhansk provinces, where it controls a force of some 40,000 fighters armed with advanced tanks, artillery and electronic warfare systems? Some Ukrainian officials speculate that Mr. Putin might be seeking to disrupt free-trade and visa-liberalization agreements between Ukraine and the European Union, which are due to take effect shortly. Others believe the military pressure is meant to induce Ukraine, Germany and France to capitulate to Moscow’s demands in ongoing negotiations over a political settlement in the region.

What’s clear is that Mr. Putin has not given up his objective of restoring Russian control over part or all of Ukraine. He still seeks to undermine the pro-Western government in Kiev; this week the Kremlin announced a ban on Ukrainian food imports. Through the peace talks, Mr. Putin is attempting to force Ukraine to accept the authorities he installed in the territories captured by Russia and to rewrite the constitution to give them special powers. Meanwhile, he uses his military forces to probe and pressure.

Ukrainian officials suspect that Mr. Putin’s offer to ally with the West in the Middle East may be part of this game. The price for cooperation with France and the United States in Syria, they worry, may be concessions on Ukraine — such as the lifting of E.U. sanctions imposed on Russia after its invasion, which will lapse in January if not renewed. European officials have said the sanctions will remain in effect until the peace agreement, which calls for Russian forces to withdraw, is fully implemented. But that was before the terrorist attacks in Paris and French President François Hollande’s decision to reach out to Mr. Putin.

The resumed shooting by Russian forces in Ukraine does not appear to have slowed Mr. Hollande’s initiative. It should. If Western governments ally with Russia in Syria even as its forces attack Ukraine, they will be tolerating and even encouraging Mr. Putin’s aggression.

Oh dear! This is worrisome. As an humanitarian worker I am appalled by Russia's lack of attention to humanitarian principles. Many people in need of humanitarian assistance will suffer because of this. Now that Russia is reportedly engaging in artillery fire with Ukranian forces, governments who have no interest in their duty of care to citizens in times of crisis, will have a pre-text to stop humanitarian convoys on suspicions of war-mongering. Good job EU! I hope it takes the spectacle of Russia flouting international law more seriously.

Now that Russia is reportedly engaging in artillery fire with Ukranian forces

It seems that you're suffering from lack of intelligence. It explains why you aren't capable to read OSCE reports. It also explains why you don't care about providing any evidence before making these "reportedly blah blah blah" claims. Two years passed, and there are still no evidence of russian troops in eastern ukraine. Not even a single satellite image. Nothing, except for "proofs" like this one:

Oh dear! This is worrisome. As an humanitarian worker I am appalled by Russia's lack of attention to humanitarian principles. Many people in need of humanitarian assistance will suffer because of this. Now that Russia is reportedly engaging in artillery fire with Ukranian forces, governments who have no interest in their duty of care to citizens in times of crisis, will have a pre-text to stop humanitarian convoys on suspicions of war-mongering. Good job EU! I hope it takes the spectacle of Russia flouting international law more seriously.

Can you imagine anything like that in the USA, United Kingdom or Russia? What, you can't? <sarcasm>But hey, it seems as brilliant, civilized and democratic approach!</sarcasm>

And these monkeys are trying to assure us, that somebody would decide to invade them. Lol, you would need to pay a giant bribe (few trillions of USDs), before any reasonable government would consider this possibility. Invading such a zoo is not more reasonable than making a step into pile of shit.

Due to natural stupidity they don't understand one simple thing, that number of bots is irrelevant. No matter how many fake accounts they control, one hundred or one thousand, these accounts still remain fake.

Europe wakes up and is horrified when Russia will organize terrorist attacks on its territory

Europe wakes up and is horrified when Russia will organize terrorist attacks on its territory - Dalia Grybauskaite.

The network spread with lightning speed prophetic words attributed to President Dalia Grybauskaite.

As you know, Dalia Grybauskaite is the most consistent and persistent advocate of Ukraine in the EU in opposition to the Russian invasion, say the Patriots of Ukraine. "Europe will wake up and be astonished, when Russia will begin to organize terrorist attacks on its territory.

That's when the tears pour, and remember, you called on Ukraine to peace talks ". The authorship of these words in social networks give the President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite.

PENTAGON— More than 400 Ukrainian troops have died in fighting since the Minsk II cease-fire agreement was adopted one year ago, with Russia playing a major role in the violence.

In an interview with VOA, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Michael Carpenter, whose responsibilities include Ukraine, Russia and Eurasia, said the U.S. has seen a “considerable” uptick in fighting in eastern Ukraine.

Usa supports rebelions in Ukraine. For example Cia agent Mike Stilt has already declared that he was in Ukraine for starting protests and armed rebellions against Russia. Actually Russia has a right to interfere Ukrainian interior affairs because of own national security as the main reason. Ukraine is the first step to reach inner Russia. Ukranians should be smarter. So western monsters come and exploit all sources of Ukraine. Russian exploit is beter than western's.

Usa supports rebelions in Ukraine. For example Cia agent Mike Stilt has already declared that he was in Ukraine for starting protests and armed rebellions against Russia. Actually Russia has a right to interfere Ukrainian interior affairs because of own national security as the main reason. Ukraine is the first step to reach inner Russia. Ukranians should be smarter. So western monsters come and exploit all sources of Ukraine. Russian exploit is beter than western's.

ukraine is easy meat for evil western countiries so they use russia for invading ukraine and exploting its recources.. russia is a simply soldier in this horrible war..

Terrorism is the main idea of new Ukrainian State of Islamist Losers. Paid trolls are welcome trying to beat this statement.

I think it is obvious from your posts that you are the one who is trying to convince people (and yourself included) that the war your government has started is justified.

You have to admit that attacking a country and saying that it is for their own good is kind of insane.

You are freeing Malo-Russians from Nazis??? Both concepts as imaginary as your Christos.

BTW, if you guys take over Ukraine, you'll get another Afghanistan. The Ukrainians I know will never give up. These people are ultra nationalists. Their children and grandchildren will be shooting Russians whenever they can find them. They are as crazy as Muslims. You don't really want to go there.

Ask Poles how well did their endeavors with UPA end up. They could not clean up the partisans until the 1960s.

Instead of making peace with your neighbor, your government chose a conquest. Ask any American if the Iraq war was worth it? Majority will tell you it was a mistake.

The same will be true for this war. Putin chose a proxy war for obvious reasons, but once the body bags start piling in, his support in Russia will wane.

Terrorism is the main idea of new Ukrainian State of Islamist Losers. Paid trolls are welcome trying to beat this statement.

I think it is obvious from your posts that you are the one who is trying to convince people (and yourself included) that the war your government has started is justified.

You have to admit that attacking a country and saying that it is for their own good is kind of insane.

You are freeing Malo-Russians from Nazis??? Both concepts as imaginary as your Christos.

BTW, if you guys take over Ukraine, you'll get another Afghanistan. The Ukrainians I know will never give up. These people are ultra nationalists. Their children and grandchildren will be shooting Russians whenever they can find them. They are as crazy as Muslims. You don't really want to go there.

Ask Poles how well did their endeavors with UPA end up. They could not clean up the partisans until the 1960s.

Instead of making peace with your neighbor, your government chose a conquest. Ask any American if the Iraq war was worth it? Majority will tell you it was a mistake.

The same will be true for this war. Putin chose a proxy war for obvious reasons, but once the body bags start piling in, his support in Russia will wane.

I should really comment on this. Crazy muslims is not an adequate term, in fact stating this is insane, and is obviously either a bad habit or being unable due a own mental illness.violent muslims in fact, are creepy, and their will to never give up is making people mad, stating such nonsense more and more. a state of craziness wouldnt necessarily lead to violent acts.it isnt the goal of democracy and human rights to molest people into bad habits, or constitute prejudice.neither do i want to oppose any "crazy muslims" my whole life, for gods sake.russia as well, has issues in their history. they never were a slave state, but they would crumble with the 40 million african americans living in the states currently, at a sudden.russia would turn into a nightmare. all their insults of the states being inappropriate and racist are worthless.

Usa supports rebelions in Ukraine. For example Cia agent Mike Stilt has already declared that he was in Ukraine for starting protests and armed rebellions against Russia. Actually Russia has a right to interfere Ukrainian interior affairs because of own national security as the main reason. Ukraine is the first step to reach inner Russia. Ukranians should be smarter. So western monsters come and exploit all sources of Ukraine. Russian exploit is beter than western's.

ukraine is easy meat for evil western countiries so they use russia for invading ukraine and exploting its recources.. russia is a simply soldier in this horrible war..